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She could give him her sincere admiration and esteem, but not her love. The proud, beautiful lips quivered, and the bright eyes grew dim with tears. No, not her love that was given, and could never be recalled; in all the wide world, from among all men's, Lord Airlie's face stood out clear and distinct. Living or dying, Lord Earle's daughter knew she could care for no other man.
From them it spread like wildfire around the whole country-side; the country papers were filled with it, and the London papers afterward told how "the beautiful Miss Earle" had been drowned while walking in her sleep. But Lord Airlie's suggestion did not satisfy Ronald Earle; he would not leave the darkened chamber. Women's gentle hands removed the bright jewels and the evening dress.
She did not know why, after a time, her proud, bright eyes drooped, and had never met Lord Airlie's gaze, why her face flushed and grew pale, why his words woke a new, strange, beautiful music in her heart music that never died until "I ask for one spray only one to keep in memory of this pleasant hour," said Lord Airlie, after a pause. She gave him a spray of the delicate golden bells.
He turned from her, unable to check the bitter sob that rose to his lips. "Hush, Hugh," she said, gently, "you grieve me." "Do you think of my grief?" he cried. "I came here tonight, with my heart on fire with love, my brain dizzy with happiness. You have killed me, Beatrice Earle, as surely as ever man was slain." Far off, among the trees, she saw the glimmer of the light in Lord Airlie's room.
"Lily, hold my hands they tremble with happiness. See, I can not hold the paper. He will release me, and I shall not lose my love my love, who is all the world to me. How must I thank you? This is Tuesday; how shall I live until Thursday? I feel as though a load, a burden, the weight of which no words can tell, were taken from me. Lily, I shall be Lord Airlie's wife, and you will have saved me."
She had taken in her hand one of the crimson flowers of the plant above her, and seemed lost in contemplating it. She saw neither the blossom nor the leaves. She was thinking of Lord Airlie's face, and the last words he had said to her, when suddenly a shadow fell before her, and looking up hastily, she saw him by her side. He appeared unlike himself, pale and anxious.
With good judgment enough our captors put a small advance-guard ahead, a score of Airlie's troopers, swanky blaspheming persons, whose horses pranced very gaily up Glen Tarf, guided by John Lom. M'Iver and I walked together with the main body, quite free and unfettered, sometimes talking with affability to our captors.
Is there any peril I would not brave for Hubert Airlie's sake?" Beatrice Earle left the room. She swept, with her beautiful head erect, through the wide corridors and down the broad staircase. She took her seat at the sumptuous table, whereon gold and silver shone, whereon everything recherche and magnificent was displayed.
He was kind, gentle, and affectionate to her, and Helena valued his thoughtful, faithful attachment more than she would have valued the deepest and most passionate love of another man. One room at Lynnton was never unlocked; strange feet never entered it; curious eyes never looked round it. It was the pretty boudoir built, but never furnished, for Hubert Airlie's first love.
"Sooner than to any one else in the world," replied Ronald. "Is she willing?" "I think so," was the answer, Lord Airlie's heart thrilling with happiness as he remembered her words. "Let us see," said Lord Earle. He rang the bell, and sent for his daughter. Lord Airlie never forgot the beautiful, blushing face half turned from him as Beatrice entered the room.
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